Where to Stay in Koh Phangan: 8 Best Areas & Hotels!

The many wonderful places to stay in Koh Phangan guarantee an unforgettable vacation on this popular Thai dream island. In addition to the many breathtaking beaches and the hip flair, there is a phenomenal range of accommodation options for you to choose from. From cheap hostels to romantic beachfront bungalows, from cute hotels with pools to luxurious 5-star hotels, Koh Phangan has it all. However, there are numerous fabulous resorts and beaches on the island, and so the question quickly arises, where is the best place to stay on Koh Phangan. There are areas that are perfect for nightlife and parties, and other areas that are absolutely peaceful and paradise-like, and therefore better suited for a relaxing vacation. But where is the best place to spend your vacation on Koh Phangan, where can you find the most unique accommodations and the real insider tips?

This guide is all about where to stay in Koh Phangan in Thailand. In addition, we show you the most beautiful tourist resorts and the best areas to stay on the island. There are also plenty of useful recommendations and hotel tips to help you plan your trip!

 

Haad Rin (Full Moon Party)

The resort of Haad Rin is one of the most famous on Koh Phangan. Once a month, it hosts the legendary Full Moon Party, a massive event where up to 30,000 people from all over the world gather to party until the early hours of the morning. Accommodation in and around this area of Koh Phangan is fully booked at this time of year, so be sure to book your room well in advance to avoid disappointment. However, if you are traveling outside of the big party, you will always find plenty of free and affordable accommodation in Haad Rin. There is something for every budget, from cool backpacker hostels to trendy beachfront hotels with pools. In addition, there is a wide variety of restaurants and shopping options, and the nightlife in the local bars invites you to go out and have a good time.

The Haad Rin Beach is located on the beautiful southern tip of Koh Phangan, about a 15-minute drive from the main ferry terminal. This sandy beach is truly a paradise, but you can only see and enjoy it when there is no full moon party. Nearby is the uniquely beautiful Leela Beach, which is especially popular with couples.

Best Accommodations & Hotels:

  • Chic 4-Star Hotel: The Explorar Koh Phangan is a mega-stylish adults-only hotel. Guests love the modern ambiance, the beautiful pool, and the cool pool parties!
  • Awesome Hostel: The So Good Haad Rin Hostel is an insider tip for backpackers. It has an unbeatable location right on the beach, is very clean and has a great atmosphere.
  • Excellent 4-Star Hotel: The super beautiful Skymoon Resort offers gorgeous suites and villas in a spectacular location with stunning views of Haad Rin Beach.

Thong Nai Pan

The beautiful area of Thong Nai Pan is located in the northeast of Koh Phangan and consists of two bays, Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai. Both beaches are just to fall in love with! You will find idyllic surroundings with sandy beaches, crystal clear water and lush vegetation. The area is also known for its many upscale resorts, making it ideal for couples and honeymooners looking for a romantic getaway. In fact, Thong Nai Pan is home to some of the best hotels on Koh Phangan, perfect if you’re planning a very special stay on the island. Many of the accommodations are in prime locations right on the beach, some even have a pool and pamper guests with excellent restaurants. In addition, there are numerous activities available. You can kayak, snorkel, swim in waterfalls, get a massage on the beach, explore magnificent viewpoints, or practice yoga.

Thong Nai Pan has a more tranquil feel compared to the busier parts of the island. Overall, you’ll find the perfect balance between a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants and plenty of luxurious places to stay.

Best Accommodations & Hotels:

  • 5-Star Luxury Hotel: The Anantara Rasananda is one of the top hotels on the island of Koh Phangan. This luxury accommodation is unique and guarantees a dream vacation.
  • 4-Star Dream Hotel: The Buri Rasa is an insider tip for a relaxing beach vacation. The hotel is located right on the beach, has a beautiful pool and a breakfast you will fall in love with.
  • Wonderful Dream Villas: The Baan View Talay offers wonderful dream villas, some of which even have their own pool. The view overlooking the jungle is also stunning.

Haad Yao

The idyllic resort of Haad Yao is a wonderful choice for a relaxing getaway on Koh Phangan. Located on the gorgeous northwest coast, it is a popular choice for families with children due to its fabulous tourist amenities. Here you can enjoy a stunning white sandy beach that slopes gently into the clear turquoise sea, perfect for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. The vacation atmosphere at Haad Yao Beach is also simply fantastic, and there are several chill-out beach bars with magnificent views of the sea. In the evenings, you can enjoy beautiful sunsets and dine at one of the many restaurants right on the beach. The atmosphere is absolutely idyllic, and it is definitely an invitation for a longer stay.

The area around Haad Yao offers a good selection of mid-range accommodations. From simple beach bungalows to comfortable resorts and boutique hotels with swimming pools, you will find it all here. Many of the places to stay are reasonably priced, and some of the hotels are right on the sea.

Best Accommodations & Hotels:

  • Charming Bungalows: The Beyond The Blue Horizon is a small boutique hotel designed with class and flair. It’s located in a beautiful spot with views of the sea.
  • 3-Star Beach Hotel: The magnificent TropiCoco Beach Resort is an excellent choice for a beach vacation! Guests love the beach location, cleanliness and beautiful rooms.
  • Bungalows with a View: The High Life Bungalow will delight you with its tasteful bungalows, beautiful grounds, and spectacular views of the turquoise blue sea.

Baan Thai

The village of Baan Thai is a popular choice for backpackers and the younger crowd for staying on Koh Phangan. Not only can you find a wide range of cheap accommodation, there are also many inexpensive restaurants, cute cafés, chill bars, scooter rentals and tour agencies. This area is also ideal for those who like to party and enjoy the nightlife. There are bungalow resorts along the coast, as well as several beach bars and some trendy beach clubs. In addition, the legendary Waterfall Parties, Jungle Experience and Half-Moon Festival are regularly held in the jungle of Baan Thai. Another highlight is the Baan Thai Night Market. Here you can try amazing food, from Thai dishes to original Italian pizza. The reasonably priced cocktails are a great way to spend the evening.

Baan Thai is a popular meeting place for backpackers, so you can find some cheap hotels, guesthouses, and simple bungalows by the sea. Many of them are located close to the beach or even in the hinterland, surrounded by dense jungle. To explore the most beautiful beaches in Koh Phangan, we recommend renting a scooter or taking a taxi.

The Best Accommodation & Hotels:

  • Affordable Hotel by the Sea: The Sarana Bungalows offer bungalows and dormitories at a reasonable price. They are right on the beach and the hotel even has a pool.
  • Small Beach Hotel: The CheeVa Beach Resort is a small but nice hotel located right on the beach. The grounds are well maintained, there’s a pool, and it’s a good value.
  • Fitness Hotel by the Sea: The Wild Wood x Hansa Beach Fitness Resort is a very cozy hotel with a fantastic gym, a swimming pool and a bar right on the beach.

Haad Salad Beach

The Haad Salad Beach is a real gem on Koh Phangan and is known as one of the most stunning beaches on the whole island. Located on the northwest coast, just north of the beach resort of Haad Yao, it has a tranquil yet picturesque setting that looks right out of a travel magazine. The fine, white sandy beach, lined with palm trees, stretches along a curved bay and the clear, turquoise waters invite you to swim and relax. You can rent a kayak for a reasonable price, treat yourself to a massage by the sea, or go snorkeling and see all kinds of fish. The bay is lined with charming beach bars and restaurants serving local delicacies and delicious cocktails. But the surrounding area is also very charming and with a scooter, you can easily reach other wonderful places like Mae Haad, Koh Ma, the fishing village Chaloklum and the waterfall Wang Sai.

Haad Salad is a great place for a beach vacation on Koh Phangan. There are some nice hotels and bungalows around the bay, making it a great place to stay. Most of the accommodations are in the mid-range, although you can find some budget options as well.

Best Accommodations & Hotels:

  • Bungalows by the Sea: The Salad Hut is a small, well-kept hotel complex. The wooden huts are comfortable and have a large veranda with a hammock.
  • Fantastic Hotel with Pool: The Green Papaya Beach Resort is a charming beach hotel on Haad Salad Beach. The beautiful infinity pool is also a great feature.
  • Good Value Resort: The Haad Salad Resort is a small, inexpensive hotel in a great location almost on the beach. Its value for money is also excellent!

Thong Sala (Main Town & Harbor)

The bustling town of Thong Sala, with a population of 5,000, is the island’s main town and by far the most important transportation hub on Koh Phangan. It is home to the island’s main ferry port with regular departures to Koh Samui, Koh Tao and the mainland. In addition, there are many buses and taxis around the port that will take you to the various resorts on the island. Especially backpackers and those who are only on Koh Phangan for a short time and are looking for cheap accommodation will find many good and cheap places to stay around Thong Sala. The most beautiful attractions and the best beaches can be explored from there on a guided tour or on your own with a scooter. Scooters can be rented at almost every corner for a reasonable price.

Thong Sala is less suitable for a relaxing beach vacation, but rather as a short stopover or a cheap alternative for backpackers. Really cool are the many markets, such as the Koh Phangan Food Court, the Pantip Market and on Saturdays, the famous “Walking Street” , where you can sample a wide variety of Thai delicacies.

Best Accommodations & Hotels:

  • Beautiful Beachfront Resort: The Baan Manali Resort offers a variety of bungalows with hammocks, a pool overlooking the sea and a beautiful garden.
  • Small Eco-Hotel: The Kalulushi Bungalows is a stylish eco-lodge just north of the main town Thong Sala. There’s a lovely pool and jungle-style garden.
  • Seaside Bungalows: The Angkana Bungalows is a truly nice place to stay near Thong Sala with a pool for rest and relaxation, but not far from the action.

 

Mae Haad Beach

The whole area around Mae Haad Beach is a wonderful option for a relaxing beach holiday on Koh Phangan. Here you can enjoy an absolute dream beach! Just off the coast is the famous island of Koh Ma, which gives the resort a spectacular ambience. Unique is a visit at low tide, when you can walk from Mae Haad Beach to Koh Ma Island. The area is popular with a younger crowd and couples. There are some really cool beach bars and great restaurants overlooking the ocean where you can eat delicious food and drink cocktails. The atmosphere is always good and there is always something going on. At sunset, head up to the 420 Club Phangan. You’ll have one of the best views on the island!

At Mae Haad Beach there is a small but good selection of good and cheap hotels. Thanks to their central location around the bay, they are perfect for a budget beach vacation. Most of the accommodations are small, family-run resorts, and a few of them also have swimming pools.

Best Accommodations & Hotels:

  • Lovely Resort with Pool: The Wang Sai Resort scores with a beautiful setting right on the sea and a fantastic restaurant. All of this is available at a reasonable price.
  • Cheap Accommodation: The Maehaad Garden Inn is a small, inexpensive hotel. It is located about 5 minutes from the beach and impresses with its cleanliness.
  • Cosy Bungalows: The Pim Bungalow is a cozy yet inexpensive place to stay. Guests also love the cleanliness and great value for money.

Chaloklum

The fishing village of Chaloklum is located in the north of the island and is very popular with Koh Phangan connoisseurs. This coastal village is a real insider tip if you are looking for authentic Thai island life. Many dropouts, backpackers and independent travelers gather here, as there are plenty of cheap hotels and accommodations in the area. The place is less touristy than others, but by no means dull or boring. You will find some really quaint bars, cozy cafés, bakeries and an absolutely cool vibe that invites you to linger. Furthermore, at the edge of town, there is the lovely Malibu beach for swimming. There are also excellent diving schools where you can book fabulous dives. Another highlight is the beaches in the area, such as the stunning Bottle Beach, which can be reached by taxi boat from Chaloklum or by hiking.

Chaloklum has a good selection of budget accommodations, including small, cute guesthouses, backpacker hostels and nice bungalows right on the beach. Many are even run by expats. What’s really cool is the slightly remote location in the north of the island, perfect if you are looking for a quiet getaway.

Best Accommodations & Hotels:

  • Bungalows by the Sea: The Silan Residence offers beautiful bungalows in a great location right on the gorgeous beach. The village is also within walking distance.
  • Family Cottage: The Baan Moonchan House is a beautiful Thai house with two bedrooms and a living room. It is ideal for families with children as well.
  • Small Hotel with Pool: The Baan Bhuwann is a small family-run hotel with a swimming pool. The hospitality is unique and the proximity to the center is top.

More about Koh Phangan:

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Where to stay in Bangkok | Where to stay in Koh Samui | Where to stay in Krabi | Where to stay in Koh Lanta | Where to stay in Koh Lipe


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